There are several passages in the Bible where Jesus is referred to as a lamb, or the lamb of God. Peter calls Jesus, "a lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:19) and Paul calls Jesus the "Passover Lamb who has been sacrified" (1 Corinthians 5:7). When John the Baptist sees Jesus walking toward him for the first time, he exclaims, "Look, the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36). Throughout much of the book of Revelation, Jesus is referred to as a lamb. Angels proclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5:12)

According to the law of Moses, the Jewish people offered animal sacrifices to God to attone for their sins. This was a temporary solution for the problem of sin, and sacrifices needed to be offered periodically to keep Jews in a right standing before God. One of the animals commonly sacrificed was a lamb. When Jesus was killed on the cross, He became the final and ultimate atonement sacrifice. For those who place their faith in Christ, his sacrifice covers all their sin and no other sacrifice to God is necessary. In this way, Christ was the sacrificial "lamb" who laid down his life for us.

Christ's role as the lamb of God was predicted by the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before He came to offer His life. In chapter 53 verses 6-7, Isaiah writes

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

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Comments

Thank you for this article!
It would break my heart if a lamb had to be slain because of my sins.
It did break my heart one day when I realized that Jesus wasn't just a story, but that He was "the Lamb of God" crucified on the cross because of my sins. (I became a believer, repented, and love and follow Christ ever since!) That day was in 1995. My life has not been the same since!
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 (My life verse!)

4/2/2008 8:55:24 AM
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Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

I would like to give honor to God who is the head of my life. I just thank God for being God alone, I thank God for His "ONLY" son..Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Without Him I would be nothing, I wouldn't be able to go a day, a second, a minute or an hour without Him. I just thank God for for increase in all areas of my life. I love God, The Son and The Holy Spirit and invite them into my lives daily. Because I never would have made it this far without Him. I just bless Him, and give Him all the praise and the glory, because God is worthy to be praised. I thank God for the blood, His mercy, I just thank God for all, everything I do goes through Christ, and I love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen Mary Fields

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